RYE, N.Y. -- The School of the Holy Child in Rye broke ground Thursday on new facilities that will include a new field house, a theater and a workshop for the architecture, engineering and design program.

The 22,000 square foot field house will include a gymnasium with two full-sized courts, an athletic training room, a weight and fitness room, a dance and movement studio and a student common area. The new theater will seat 400 people, will have a full stage, new lighting and sound equipment and dedicated space for music, dance and other programs. The new workshop will include space for woodworking, computer-assisted design, 3-D printing and circuit and architecture design.

"I think today is so meaningful because with all the phenomenal programs we have, all the great initiatives and all the incredible successes of our students, we're breaking ground on new facilities that are now going to be consistent with the level of excellence that we demonstrate in every other area," said Head of School William Hambleton.

"Today allows us to begin a process of taking the next step in improving our facility and making what is a terrific school even better," said Al Kelly, chair of the school's Board of Trustees. Kelly met his wife at the Holy Child's prom in 1977, and two of his daughters graduated the school while another will be attending next year as a fifth grader.

"Holy Child is a great asset in Westchester County. The students that matriculate here, attend the school and graduate contribute back to Westchester County," said Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett, who has had four daughters attend the school.

"Not it is a great institution, but they are great neighbors and great partners," said Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont.

Rye City Council member Julie Killian's daughter Alex graduated from Holy Child in 2011, and said that she was grateful for the impact that the school had on her.

"It's a really exciting time for Holy Child, I'm so happy to be a part of this ceremony and I really look forward to a bright and joyful future for the school," Killian said.

Construction will commence first on the field house, which is expected to take six to nine months. The theater is expected to take three to four months. The workshop is being converted from an underutilized garage on campus.